President Donald Trump will visit a Beaver County ethane cracker plant today. Rep. Scott Perry receives a primary opponent from a millennial Republican claiming the incumbent doesn’t support the president enough. Here is the Playbook.
GOP Challenger Accuses Perry of Being Insufficiently Pro-Trump: Bobby Jeffries, a millennial Republican, bills himself as an ardent supporter of the President’s agenda and said Rep. Scott Perry is “ashamed” to stand up for the president when he is “inside the beltway.”
Trump To Visit Beaver County Cracker Plant Tuesday: This will be President Donald Trump’s first appearance in the state since his rally in Montoursville in May.
Harrisburg & DC
New York Times: A Giant Factory Rises to Make a Product Filling Up the World: Plastic
Tribune Review: Trump to spotlight Beaver County cracker plant, economy during Tuesday visit to Western Pa.
Inquirer: With General Assistance now gone in Pa., how will people cope?
Inquirer: Under orders to replace voting machines, Pa. counties wonder when they’ll see state money
Inquirer: I-295 bridge contract favored Philly unions despite millions in added cost, lawsuit says
Inquirer: The 2020 Census will determine the fate of billions in federal dollars. Which programs are at stake?
Inquirer: Cosby’s lawyers seek new trial at Harrisburg hearing, testing limits of #MeToo-era justice
PA Post: How a ‘red flag’ law could work in Pa. — and what stands in its way
AP: Governor wants answers on 4 kids separated from families
AP: Planned Parenthood office vandalized in Pennsylvania
AP: Sentries, not ‘squad’: Moderate Dems ones to watch for 2020
AP: Cosby lawyers ask appeals court to toss #MeToo conviction
AP: Pa. judge rules police can’t search vehicle that smells of marijuana if driver has medical card
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: That Scranton thing: Biden holds commanding Pa. fundraising lead
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: DePasquale calls for better training of district judges after 100s mistakenly given criminal records
Daily Local News: Casey challenges lawmakers to take a stand on gun safety
WHYY Newsworks: The consequences of US Immigration policies on children
StateImpactPA: Poll: Broad support for Wolf’s plan to tax gas drillers to pay for infrastructure upgrades
StateImpactPA: Bruce Mansfield power plant to shutter early
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Farmers hope to reap trade benefits: Ag leaders, legislators hear concerns at dairy summit
PLSReporter: Democrats push for Pennsylvania to catch up to its neighbors with renewable energy policy
PLSReporter: HDPC listens to experts, citizens on school funding
PLSReporter: DePasquale gives recommendations after district justices wrongfully give out criminal records
Philadelphia
Inquirer: I-295 bridge contract favored Philly unions despite millions in added cost, lawsuit says
Inquirer: With General Assistance now gone in Pa., how will people cope?
Inquirer: 2020 Census ‘listers’ have to verify millions of addresses. Look for them in your neighborhood.
Inquirer: New windows, lighting at Northeast High part of $23 million energy makeover at Philly schools
Inquirer: This Philly summer camp teaches girls how to do construction
Inquirer: Each night, Philly jails release scores of inmates without returning their IDs, cash or phones
KYW Newsradio: 40,000 Census Bureau workers begin verifying addresses across US ahead of 2020 census
Philly Voice: Philly, five more Pennsylvania locations included in Time’s mass shooting cover
SEPA
Bucks Local News: Newtown Borough Council passes second climate change resolution; considers calling on state to ban Styrofoam cups and take-out containers
Daily Local News: Casey challenges lawmakers to take a stand on gun safety
Daily Local News: Local lawmakers highlight clean energy solutions
Daily Local News: State, local officials to visit Upper Main Line YMCA Aug. 14
Pottstown Mercury: State Sen. Argall opposes taxing retirement income to eliminate school property taxes
Pottstown Mercury: Colebrookdale quarry passes on energy firm’s proposed dam
Pittsburgh
WESA: Rep. Mike Doyle On Gun Control, Impeachment And His 2020 Primary Challenger
WESA: Who Is The Real Independent In City Council District 9?
Tribune Review: Trump to spotlight Beaver County cracker plant, economy during Tuesday visit to Western Pa.
Tribune Review: Disaster loans still available for Allegheny County flood victims
Tribune Review: Huntley & Huntley meeting set for Tuesday on Allegheny Township Marcellus well
KDKA: Preview Of President Donald Trump’s Visit To Shell Cracker Plant And What It Means For Traffic
KDKA: Air Pollution Legislation To Raise Fines, New Alert System
KDKA: Attorney General DePasquale Calls For More Training For District Judges
City Paper: PNC Bank will no longer finance the private-prison industry
Post-Gazette: Air pollution fines could go up
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Children’s Fund working group to make recommendations to Fitzgerald
Post-Gazette: Which self-driving car companies will end up as winners?
SWPA
Beaver County Times: Traffic delays, road closures expected in Beaver County during Trump visit
Beaver County Times: Chamber chairman: New leader expected by end of year
Altoona Mirror: Council to tackle housing
Altoona Mirror: Moms speak out on overdose deaths
Observer-Reporter: County purchases building, plans to move DA’s office
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Farmers hope to reap trade benefits: Ag leaders, legislators hear concerns at dairy summit
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: WIC offering families new shopping benefits
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Nothing’s really changed’: Year after grand jury investigation on clergy sexual abuse, those affected ‘disappointed’ by lack of legislation
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Retroactive clause for clergy abuse claims cited for lack of movement
NEPA
Times-Tribune: Ex-city licensing director paints grim picture of time serving with Courtright
Times-Tribune: New group forms to speak up for Scranton School District
Times-Tribune: County takes steps for eminent domain in Dickson City
Times-Tribune: Scranton admits failure to preserve video
Times-Tribune: Dunmore appeals cost-of-living ruling for retirees
Times-Tribune: ‘Eric’s Law’ would target convicted killers
The Times Leader: Toomey, Keller introduce Eric’s Law in Congress
The Times Leader: Ciavarella again turns to Supreme Court
The Times Leader: School tax bill mailing details announced by Luzerne County
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre Planned Parenthood office vandalized
Citizens Voice: Police seek suspect after Planned Parenthood vandalized in Wilkes-Barre
Citizens Voice: School tax bills will be mailed by Aug. 19
Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre’s expenditures under budget so far
Citizens Voice: Scranton reaches agreement with newspaper
South Central
LNP | LancasterOnline: LGBT activists protest Elanco’s polarizing privacy policy, urge board members to reverse course before school year begins
LNP | LancasterOnline: 5 Lancaster County districts, IU13 receive nearly $1 million in state school safety grants
Patriot News: Non-union Pa. state government worker files class-action lawsuit demanding refund of union fees
Patriot News: Pa. Auditor General calls for more training, closer scrutiny of district judges
Patriot News: Teacher arraigned on sexual misconduct charges stemming from Pa. Capitol field trip
Patriot News: Lancaster County offers to help churches, businesses prepare for shooter
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle conference brings perspective to sex abuse scandal in Catholic Church
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey to hold a Lehigh Valley town hall
Morning Call: Embattled Allentown police Chief Tony Alsleben resigns, clearing way for fifth chief in four years
Morning Call: Gov. Wolf coming to Allentown to discuss changes to the charter school law
Morning Call: DEP officials get earful at hearing on proposed Slate Belt sewage-sludge treatment plant
Morning Call: Online post that caused scare at Musikfest threatened revenge on Bethlehem as ‘Trump country’
Morning Call: West Easton Borough Council again denies proposal for controversial drug treatment center
Reading Eagle: Berks County commissioner voices concern over 5G deployment
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council OKs taking over former Dana South site
Express Times: Interim Allentown police chief Tony Alsleben to step down in September
Express Times: Sen. Bob Casey to hold town hall at Northampton Community College
North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Area to receive $5.5 million for rural broadband
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County Democratic candidates ask for more inclusion, less party politics
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Candidates for city spots speak up for change
Erie Times-News: Improperly filed Corry cases lead to call for change
Erie Times-News: Senator calls for probe of Erie fire
Opinion
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Adjust minimum wage bill: The legislation is necessary but needs tweaks
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Braddock’s comeback: The community has deftly reinvented itself
John L. Micek: How state-level preemption laws are getting worse, report | Monday Morning Coffee
Ben Waxman: When Donald Trump Blames Mass Shootings on Mental Illness, He’s Blaming People Like Me
JD Mullane: Ammosexuals macho attitude threatens 2nd Amendment
Paul Muschick: Budget fiasco raises question: Is anyone in charge at Allentown School District?
Dick Polman: Will Republicans finally disown Trump’s incendiary racism?
Bucks County Courier Times Editorial: Thumbs up for Doylestown Mayor Ron Strouse, down for the U.S. Navy
Marlynn Orlando and Victor Pinckney, Sr: Maryland lead law not nearly as effective as Philly’s current model
Liz Spikol: Jeffrey Epstein’s victims will never have their Larry Nassar moment now | Perspective
Brian O’Neill: Bags in the trees seem to whisper debris
Robert W. Ballenger, Josie B.H. Pickens, and Rebecca McCord: Utility shutdowns can be a disaster. Here’s how to avoid them.